Through cancer cases are rising in India, increased awareness, early detection, and healthier living can help keep the disease in check.
India’s cancer crisis is depending, with new data revealing a sharp rise in the number of cases and deaths over the past five years. In 2024 alone, more than 15 lakh people were diagnosed with some form of cancer, according to data share in Parliament by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Figures from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP), show cancer cases rose to 13.5 lakh in 2019, highlighting a growing healthcare challenge that demands urgent attention.
THE INVISIBLE RISK:
The new cancer demographic looks very different from the stereo-type. Individuals in their 30s and 40s — who exercise, consume healthy food, and avoid alcohol and tobacco — are being diagnosed with cancer.
Wondering why? The culprits are often the unseen triggers in our daily lives like air pollution, chemical-laden foods, and stress.
“Cancer isn’t just about personal choices anymore.” Environmental factors like air pollution now play a major role, even in people who’ve never smoked. Prolonged exposure to poor air quality, room fresheners, or other household chemicals can also contribute to lung damage.”
THE AIR WE CAN’T ESCAPE:
Every breath in a big city carries a mix of dust, vehicle emissions, and microscopic pollutants.
While smoking remains a major risk factor, even non-smokers exposed to harmful toxins daily. Fine particulate matter from traffic, construction, and waste burning can damage lung tissue over time, promoting inflammation and cell injury. Long hours spent indoors,
in-air conditioned homes filled with air fresheners and cleaning sprays or in offices, leaves lungs little time to recover.
For many, the damage is slow and silent. A mid cough, fatigue, or breathlessness may seem minor until a scan reveals something more serious.
FOOD THAT STRAINS:
if pollution affects the lungs, our eating habits are taking a toll on the stomach. In the rush to save cooking time, many of us consume package snacks and instant meals loaded with sodium and preservatives.
“Salted, pickled, or processed foods irritate the stomach lining. Over the years, this increase the risk of chronic gastritis and even gastric cancer.”
Skipping breakfast, eating late dinners, and working through stress can worsen acidity — another trigger that quietly damages the stomach lining.
“The bacterium Helico-bacter-pylori, which thrives in acidic conditions, is a common but often overlooked factor in chronic gastritis and stomach cancer.”
Doctors emphasize that early detection through regular screenings scans, or endoscopies when needed can make al the differences.
“Some cancers are lifestyle-linked, which means they’re preventable or manageable if caught early.”
MINDFUL HABITS:
Stress management plays a role. Chronic stress release hormones t hat lower immunity and disrupt digestion. Yoga, regular exercise, and even short breaks from screens can help restore the body’s natural balance.
At the same time, limit access to screening and delayed medical consultation means many cases are detected only at advanced stages, when treatment outcomes are poorer.
Therefore, awareness is the most effective defense against cancer.
In the end, it’s thoughtful habits and conscious living that safeguard our health.
